Importance of Independents increases as JD(U) loses two MLAs

Patna,(BiharTimes): With the Janata Dal (United) losing two MLAs within three days––one resigned and one died––and four MLAs of Congress may withdraw any day the importance of four Independent MLAs and one of CPI have increased.

After the split with the BJP on June 16 last the strength of ruling JD(U) in Bihar got reduced to 118 in the House of 243. Now it has come down to 116 with the House strength of 241.

Four out of six Independent, four Congress MLAs and one from the CPI supported the Nitish Kumar government during the no-confidence motion on June 19. The total thus now stands at 125. But if the Congress really withdraws as was once threatened by one of its state level leaders recently the government will enjoy the support of just 121 in the House of 241. To survive, the Janata Dal (United) will have to win both the by-elections––Sahabpur-Kamal and Maharajganj––to be held within next six months.

The Independents have started flexing their muscle as the loss of one MLA matters now. Ever since June 19 they have been expecting ministerial berth. But chief minister Nitish Kumar is yet to expand the cabinet. He is looking after the portfolios of all the 11 BJP ministers whom he sacked. He only gave the portfolio of Parween Amanullah to Nitish Mishra.

The chief minister appears confident of surviving the Congress party threat and even hit back by stating that he can call special session of the state Assembly to prove the majority in case the Congress withdraws support.

But the Independents are losing patience. Why after all the chief minister is not expanding the cabinet when there is full scope for it. After all the market value of these Independents is much higher with the BJP leaving no stone unturned to teach Nitish a lesson.

But the saffron party has its own quota of problems. It has to expel two of its MLAs only on Thursday for anti-party activities.